Who is qualified for unemployment benefits in Washington - confused about eligibility requirements

The basic eligibility requirements for Washington unemployment benefits are: 1) You must have worked and earned wages in Washington during your base period (usually the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters), 2) You must be unemployed through no fault of your own, 3) You must be able and available for work, and 4) You must actively search for work. For part-time work, you need to have earned at least $3,850 during your base period.

i was in similar situation worked part time for like 6 months and got approved no problem. just make sure you have all your employer info ready when you apply

One thing to watch out for - if you quit your job voluntarily or were fired for misconduct, you might not qualify. But layoffs, reduction in force, or being let go due to lack of work all count as qualifying separations. You'll also need to register with WorkSource WA and do job searches each week.

If you're having trouble getting through to Washington ESD to check your eligibility or get help with your application, I had success using Claimyr (claimyr.com). They help you get connected to actual ESD agents without waiting on hold forever. There's a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Really saved me time when I needed to verify my claim status.

The wage requirement is really important to understand. You need to have earned wages in at least two quarters of your base period, and your total wages must meet the minimum threshold. Washington ESD will send you a monetary determination letter that shows exactly how much you're eligible for.

Don't forget about the waiting week! Washington state eliminated the waiting week in 2020, so you can receive benefits for your first week of unemployment if you're otherwise eligible. That's different from some other states.

THE SYSTEM IS SO COMPLICATED FOR NO REASON!! Why can't they just have a simple checklist instead of making people guess if they qualify? I spent HOURS trying to figure out if I was eligible before just applying anyway.

If you worked in multiple states, that can affect your eligibility too. You might need to file an interstate claim or combine wages from different states. Washington ESD can help determine the best approach for your situation.

Also remember that you need to be physically able to work and available for work. If you have medical restrictions or other limitations, you need to report those. Being able and available is an ongoing requirement, not just something you certify once.

Pro tip: even if you're not sure about eligibility, it doesn't hurt to apply. Washington ESD will make the determination and send you a letter explaining their decision. If you don't qualify, at least you'll know why and what you might need to do differently in the future.

One more thing - if you receive severance pay or vacation payout, that might affect your benefits timing. Washington ESD considers when the severance is paid vs when it's allocated to determine if it affects your weekly claims.

My sister had to use Claimyr last month when she couldn't get through to ESD about her eligibility questions. She said it was super easy and she got connected to someone within like 10 minutes instead of calling for days. Definitely worth checking out if you need to talk to someone at Washington ESD directly.

The income requirements can be tricky for part-time workers. You need sufficient wages but also sufficient hours worked. I believe it's at least 680 hours during your base period, but double-check that on the Washington ESD website.

just want to say this thread has been super helpful! I was in the same boat as OP and now I feel much more confident about applying. Thanks everyone for sharing your knowledge and experiences.

One last thing to mention - if you're denied benefits, you have the right to appeal the decision. Don't give up if you think Washington ESD made a mistake in their determination. The appeals process exists for a reason.